UEL academic Dr Tim Hall honoured by Living Wage Foundation for five years of leadership

08 November 2016

Dr Hall's efforts have helped countless workers at UEL and beyond

Dr Tim Hall, Head of Global Studies at the University of East London (UEL), has been honoured for his work over the last five years in securing the London Living Wage for countless workers at UEL and east London.

The London Living Wage is a voluntary scheme which encourages employers in the capital to pay workers aged 18-plus above the minimum rate set by government. The London Living Wage rate is calculated by the Resolution Foundation, based on the actual cost of living in London.

Dr Hall, who was presented with the ‘5 Years of Living Wage Leadership Champion Award’ at the annual Living Wage Foundation event at the British Library, said: “It’s a huge honour to win this award and I would like to thank all the students and colleagues that have worked with me over the years to promote the living wage at the University of East London and in the Royal Docks area of east London.”

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, attended the event, where he announced that the new London Living Wage would be £9.75 per hour. Outside London, the new rate is £8.45.

Since 2011, UEL has insisted that all its sub-contractors are paid the London Living Wage, and in 2015 members of The East London Community Organisation awarded UEL Living Wage Champion status.

Dr Hall said, “The living wage campaign is one of the great campaigns of the 21st century, not just in terms of what it has achieved but in terms of popularising a form of campaigning that excludes no one – least of all those who are initially the targets of such campaigns.

“This is because to promote a living wage and to be open to the living wage is simply to be human and recognise the minimal support needed for a flourishing life.”

According to the Living Wage Foundation, almost 3,000 employers across the UK pay their employees the living wage, including 1,000 in London.

UEL has a track record of championing financial resilience among its students, staff and the wider community. In 2013, the University banned pay day lenders from advertising on its campuses.

In 2015, UEL was nominated for the Times Higher Education’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community’ award, after impressing judges with its ground-breaking ‘Money Mentors and Money Champions’ programme, also led by Dr Hall.

Under the scheme, UEL students were trained to become money mentors to local school children – visiting schools, colleges and community centres to offer advice on budgeting, avoiding debt and being financially wise.